Students can network with almost 200 companies in the student union today.
Career Services kicked off its annual UA Fall Career Days yesterday afternoon in the Student Union Memorial Center Grand Ballroom. The career fair will continue today until 4 p.m.
The event features 181 companies looking for interns and employees of all ages and majors. The companies represent 34 states, with 62 percent of potential employers located outside of Arizona.
Some companies are specifically interested in business or technology students, while others, such as AT&T, are open to any major. The tables in the ballroom are color-coded to show which companies are looking for which type of student.
Susan Miller-Pinhey, marketing and special events manager for Career Services, said the event has been held for at least 25 years, with new companies participating each year. This year, there are 22 new companies in attendance.
The event is a huge opportunity — not just for graduating seniors, but also for underclassmen, Miller-Pinhey said. It can also be overwhelming, so it’s important for students to familiarize themselves with the career fair environment. Career Services recommends students dress professionally and bring copies of their resume for potential employers, but neither are required.
Miller-Pinhey said it’s never too early to start making connections, and strongly encouraged underclassmen to attend.
“You can make a connection right now with a company you’re particularly interested in,” she said.
The companies at the fair ranged from clothing chain Nordstrom to the U.S. Navy, and each employer is looking for something different.
Connie Robison, a Payless ShoeSource recruiter, said the company is looking for December graduates who are “bubbly,” “outgoing” and “hardworking,” and that business and retail are great majors for them.
Easton-Bell Sports recruiter Alyssa Paskell said that the company isn’t looking for students with a specific majors, just for interns to work in California who “have a love for sports and really want to get involved in the sporting goods industry.”
Tuesday, the ballroom was crowded with students browsing the booths and talking to the various employers. Booths are arranged in rows, and all students receive maps to help them navigate the room.
Ryan Bergsma, a systems engineering sophomore, said it was his second year attending the career fair and that it had been helpful.
“There are a lot of employers, and you get a lot of good information [about opportunities],” Bergsma said.
– Follow Jazmine Foster-Hall @Jazz_Foster
